DO UNTO OTHERS!

On Friday afternoon, August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall just north of Corpus Christi, TX. Hurricane Harvey was the first major hurricane to strike South Texas since Celia in 1970. Just like we did during Hurricane Celia our family was going to ride the storm out and not leave our home. We had made all the preparations, generator, fuel, water, food, etc. Later that evening around 7:30 p.m. the power went out; our family gathered in our den and began to pray the rosary. Our electrical power would not come back on until late the following Monday, but for many on the Gulf Coast their electrical power would be out for weeks, and many were displaced from their homes. The damage from this storm covered the Gulf Coast and four dioceses, Corpus Christi, Victoria, Galveston/Houston and Beaumont.

“I have often thought that if I did unto others what I would like others to do to me (Luke 6:31), then I would have reached the perfection of charity. Then, satisfied that I had accomplished all that was necessary, I could rest from my efforts. But that is not your unit of measure, Lord.

To visit someone, to distribute help, and to bring consolation are not merely good acts to be tallied up. It is not enough to do for others—I must courageously experience their sufferings, their wounds, their deepest aspirations, humiliations, misery, and despair in my own heart. This is the Gospel Your teaching is so simple, Lord, and yet so profound! I must love others “as myself”! What depth! How can I avoid living the fullness of your law of love? This excerpt is taken from Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan’s book, Prayers of Hope, Words of Courage.

These words come to mind as we witnessed the good works and deeds of so many Knights and their families, not only from Texas, but from across our Order. The Knights of Columbus have a long history in lending a hand in times of distress. Knights were working to provide food, shelter and other immediate relief, as well as helping with clean up and recovery to Hurricane Harvey victims.

Since the hurricane, Knights have been at the forefront or bringing assistance to victims of the disaster, especially those displaced by destructive winds and flooding

Some of the extraordinary work councils there have been doing include:

Countless personal trailers from KC councils from across the order. The donations included food, water, toiletries, diapers, utensils, beddings, clothing and clean up supplies. The councils also fed thousands of people, including the first responders, Knights and their families, and those helping with the cleanup. Those that could not personally volunteer assisted in donating monetarily to the relief efforts to help those suffering such devastation. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly to relief efforts.

Thank you to all that were involved in one way or the other to assist those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Our first principal of the Order Charity – “Love thy neighbor as thyself”, was truly evident during this disaster!

Vivat Jesus! Viva Cristo Rey!